Strength testing machine



May 31, 1932 s. HoRNBEcK E1' AL 1,861,012

STRENGTH TESTING MACHINEl May 31, 1932;

H. S. HORNBECK ETAI- STBENGTH TESTING MACHINE Filed June 27. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mary 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE HENRY S. HORNBECK AND HAROLD L. HORNBECK, OF HAMPTON BAYS, NEW YORK STRENGTH rEsrrNG MACHINE Application filed .Tune 27,

This invention is concerned particularly with machines which are intended to be usedv in testing the weight lifting strength of individuals. As such machines are commonly constructed there is no compensation for the weight of the individual and in a competition between two individuals, one of whom weighs materially more than the other, the heavier individual has an advantage over the other to the extent of his superior weight. It is the object of this invention to produce a machine of this character in the operation of which the person whose lifting strength is being tested must lift his own weight, thereby establishing a` fair basis of comparison. In accordance with the invention the individual stands on a platform which is supported at one end upon a horizontal axis, whileV the 'handles to which the individual Vapplieshis strength are connected to a lever or levers which act against the platform to raise the same through a decreasing leverage, so that while each individual, no matter what his weight may be, must rst lift his own weight, he must continue to lift his' own weight through a decreasing leverage so that the machine, through indicating devices, will indicate the amount of forceexerted by the individual above that represented by his own 3o weight. p

The invention will be more fully explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which it is illustrated, and in which:

Figure l is a view of the improved machine in sectional elevation.

Figure 2 is a view of the same in elevation as seen from the left hand in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section on the plane indicated by the broken line 3 3 of Figure l'.

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective of a portion of an indicatingdevice which may be used.

Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating the Y changing relation between the platform and the force supplying lever, the platform being shown as somewhat shorter than in Figure l.

Figure 6 is a further detail view of a portion of the indicating device employed.

1930. ySerial No. 464,143.

spaced so that the 'individual may stand between them as he stands on the platform and suitably shaped, as at c1, tov be grasped by the individual, are pivotally mountedwithin the housing, asfat c2, They may be braced within the housing by cross bars c3. Under the twov bars vwhich form the platform lever are pivotally mounted, as at d1, corresponding f levers d, which arecam-shaped on their up-v per edges, as'at d2, to coact with the lower edge b3 of each of the levers b kso that, as the levers cl are raised, the point of contact between the levers ci and the levers b will be shifted toward the pivot line of the levers as indicated in Figure, and the leverage through which the levers l act upon the levers b will be decreasedand the strength required to liftvthe weight of the individual will be increased. For the purpose of raising the levers d the operating levers c are connected with the levers d by any convenient means such as the chains e. For the purpose of counterbala-ncing the weight of the levers and their connections the levers c may be connected by links f with counterbalance levers f1 mounted on suitable supports f2.

`Any suitable means may be provided lfoi` indicating the force exerted by the individual in raising his .ownl weight through the de-v creasing leverage with which the levers cl act uponthe supporting levers b. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawingsone of the operating levers c is shown as connected by a link yg with a rodk g1 which is pivoted at g2 and is connected with a suit-` able source of electric current supply, such-as a battery indicated at It. In operative relation withthe rod g1 are a series of electrical contacts z', l etc. disposed so that contact is made successivelyand connected respectively withelectriclamps 1, k1 etc., which are in turn connected ink multiple, through a connection Z with the battery k. The lamps are placed severally in cells m, m1 etc., the fronts of which are closed by glasses which bear numerals indicating the amount of strength exerted by the individual in lifting his own weight.

5 It will be understood that in opera-tion the individual first lifts his own Weight through a leverage which is the same for all and then lifts his own weight with a decreasing leverage which requires the exertion of greater strength and that the extent to which the individual is able to raise his own weight, as shown progressively by the indicating devices, is a fair measure of the strength of the individual.

It will be understood that for convenience and to avoid confusion but few indicating lamps have been shown. It will also be understood that other indicating devices may be substituted for the lamps and that various other changes may be made for the convenience ofthe user or that the manufacturer may su esty without i de arting from the spirit o t e invention as tlie same is set forth in the accompanying claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A strength testing apparatus comprising a movable platform on which the operator may stand, an operating handle, operating connections between the handle and the platform. whereby the operator must lift his own Weight, means whereby the leverage of the connections is decreased as the platform is raised, and indicatingl means connected to the handle to indicate the extent of movement of the'handle.

2. A strength testing apparatus comprising aplatform on which the operator may stand, a lever on which the platform is supported, an operating handle, a lever acting upon the platform lever, means whereby the leverage between the two levers is decreased as the platform is raised, a connection between the handle and the second named lover, and indicating means connected to the handle to indicate the extent of movement of the handle.

3. A strength testing apparatus comprising a platform on which the operator may stand, a lever on which the platform is supported, a

second lever in operative relation with the lever platform and having a cam surface for engagement with the platform lever to cause decreasing leverage between the levers upon the raising of the platform, an operating 5 handle, means connecting said handle to they second lever, and indicating means connected to the handle to indicate-the extent of movement of the handle. o

f This specification signed this 25th day of 0 June-A. D. i930.

HENRY S. HORNBECK. HAROLD L. HORNBECK. 

